TUC unanimously condems SC ruling

[SexMatters84]

"TUC delegates agreed unanimously – that is an important word in this context and we shall return to it – to a motion condemning the Supreme Court ruling and insisting it contradicts the ECHR. Exactly how such a contradiction arises is neither here nor there, but it is unthinkable that when Churchill, de Gaulle and the victorious allied powers after the Second World War were considering the human rights framework that had to be instituted to prevent a repeat of the Nazis’ atrocities, they would have overlooked the rights of men in dresses to use women’s toilets."

https://open.substack.com/pub/tomharris2/p/trade-unions-are-no-longer-relevant

Yet again I am seriously considering whether to continue union membership considering these sort of antics. Sadly LWD and FiLia TU groups aren't changing Comrades minds! I support what unions achieved historically but nostalgia is no longer enough.

(Is there a thread already on this? Please link if so, I couldn't spot one.)

“And then there was nobody left to speak for me.”

What a bunch of utter morons.

Institutionalised misogny. It’s just shameful. As well as scary.

Trades Unions have never been particularly friendly to women. It's a pity those in the TUC who do know what a woman is (that is ALL of them) should vote for this nonsense. Shame on the lot of them - and a great loss to everyone because who but trades unions will fight for workers' rights?

It's going to take decades for unions and other parts of the left to see daylight. They've never really liked women and they're showing their true colours over this.

You are so right @deadpan

Yet again I am seriously considering whether to continue union membership considering these sort of antics.

Pragmatically, what are you paying for?

Their understanding of the law seems very sketchy, but do they offer other services that make membership worthwhile?

I left my union over this nonsense and told them so.

I get legal support through my home insurance, so there's nothing I really need them for, but I genuinely believed in collective bargaining. I feel like everything I've ever believed in is crumbling under how sexist men are. It ruins everything.

I too left my union over this matter and also let them know. Made no difference.

I’m very happy my union is not affiliated with the TUC although I have to say that many of the blokes in it have probably swallowed the kool/aid anyway.

What an awful bunch of idiots. There is a real thread of misogyny running through the 'Left'. I wonder whether it's historical: they still haven't caught up with the idea of female equality because historically they were there for men. As with all these people, totally regressive.

The union movement has always put women last, no reason they would buck that trend now.

I genuinely don't know why women are members. I left my union a few years ago, I don't miss it.

@Grammarnut @deadpan agree that historically unions have always been more about men and men's jobs.
It's disappointing that despite most of the big unions now having higher proportion of women members and many led by women that they are still demonstrating institutionalised misogyny.

@PronounssheRa @soupycustard yes, agree with you too!

Gender-critical women inside unions can use this stance to argue that the union is discriminating against them?

I guess I'm paying for insurance on the premise they would provide support if facing discrimination or redundancy. But going by what happened to Sandie Peggie and the Darlington Nurses it would only be if I hadn't offended any union groupthink.

I like the idea of collective bargaining and employees holding employers to account but not sure I can ignore this wider issue any longer.

Okay, so these union bureaucrats need to get a clear message:

Pay and conditions. That's what you're paid to deal with you absolute muppets.

If you want to run the students union at SOAS, you are more than welcome to resign your positions and become mature students.

Trade unions vow to oppose Supreme Court trans ruling
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/09/09/trade-unions-vow-to-oppose-supreme-court-trans-ruling/

and at https://archive.is/MMRkc

Jenny Black is a big wig in the Union movement and has been the main person involved in developing Unison’s Trans Policy. They transitioned later in life and whilst the Council JB works for has offered practical solutions, (their very own loo) JB is determined that JB should be able to use the women’s facilities. Rather gives the impression that it’s not about finding somewhere safe after all.

Agree @Justme56 - he obviously doesn't want somewhere safe, he wants to make women uncomfortable and have his 'womanlyness' validated. Trans is not about equality it's about privileged. Huge pity the unions have been so captured by men like Black.

Not all the Left. The Communist Party (surely left if anyone is) do not believe men can be women. There are also many in the Labour Party too

Incidentally after the victory of the match girls strike ( largely teens of Irish extraction ) the union they founded was one of the biggest in the 19th century.

Eliza, that's interesting about the match girls. Thank you.
Yes I know the Communists are reality-based on this and I put the 'Left' in inverted commas specifically because there seems to be a particular brand of 'left' (or 'progressive') that ignores how untrammelled capitalism is clearly intertwined with trans activism. And I am absolutely not taking away from Rosie Duffield etc in the Labour Party - very very brave to keep battling away trying to change things from the inside.

I was a member of Unison some years back. The only time I went to them directly I was seeking some support for myself and a small group of fellow professionals who were being bullied by a very senior director. They seemed to be interested at first but soon backed away when they had "bigger fish to fry, tied up with the personal interests of certain union officials" and threw us all under the proverbial bus. I have no time or respect for any of them after that. I am not surprised at the TUC stance but they are all a waste of space.

I too resigned from my union (Unison) a few years ago, over total capitulation to Trans rights. Told them why, despite asking for a reply I didn’t receive any correspondence, not even a generic you know where we are if you ever wish to rejoin.

I have joined Affinity, subs are much lower, I have used their advice line to clarify a legal point regarding sick pay, very helpful. They also seem to know about biological reality.